Theatre TCU Alumnus Joins TheatreDNA as Senior Theatre Consultant

Theatre TCU alumnus Zachary Briscoe ’16 has joined TheatreDNA as a senior theatre consultant, bringing nearly a decade of experience in theatre planning, technical design and project management to the performance venue design firm.

Based in Dallas, Briscoe will contribute to TheatreDNA's planning and design work for performance spaces, with a focus on educational and cultural venues. His work sits at the intersection of theatre and architecture, helping translate the needs of performers, technicians and audiences into the systems and spaces that support live performance.

For Briscoe, the appeal of theatre consulting is the opportunity to create spaces with a lasting impact.

“What drew me to theatre consulting was the idea of helping mold and create performance spaces that would stand for 30, 40, 50 years,” Briscoe said. “Those buildings I helped shape may likely be around longer than I will.”

Briscoe earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre with an emphasis in design and technology from TCU before completing a Master of Fine Arts in technical production at Florida State University. While at TCU, he received the Forrest A. Newlin Leadership Award. 

From Theatre Training to Theatre Design 
Briscoe credits Theatre TCU's multidisciplinary approach with giving him a foundation he continues to draw on when designing performance spaces. As a design and technology student, his training extended beyond his specialization to acting, theatre history, props, drafting, scenic and lighting design, welding and carpentry.

“Having at least a basic understanding of all of these different facets of the theatre is applied each and every day in my discussions with clients and the decisions I make when assisting in the design of new or renovated performing arts venues,” Briscoe said.

His path into consulting began during graduate school when he participated in the ASTC/USITT Renovation Challenge, which introduced him to the profession and practicing theatre consultants. Before joining TheatreDNA, Briscoe spent more than seven years with theatre planning and architectural lighting design firm Schuler Shook, working on projects for educational and performing arts facilities across the southern United States.

Now, Briscoe is helping TheatreDNA establish its Dallas office and expand its work across Texas and surrounding states.

For students interested in similarly specialized careers behind the scenes, Briscoe's advice is simple: Be bold and proactive.

“Find out what skills are needed for a career you're interested in and take the time to practice and become familiar with them,” he said. “Stay curious.”

Learn more about Briscoe's new role with TheatreDNA through Lighting & Sound America or IAVM.